Motorola Is The Latest Company To Join The Smartwatch Traffic Jam Ahead Of Apple's Big Launch (MSI)

James Cook, provided by

Published 5:52 am, Friday, September 5, 2014

Motorola is the latest technology company to announce a range of new devices. It announced a redesigned phone and new smartwatch in the early hours of the morning.

The new version of the Moto X phone will retail for $499 when it goes on sale later this month. Like its predecessor, the Moto X offers users extensive customization options. Customers can order the phone in various shades of colored plastic and wood, and now customizable leather backs have been added. The Guardian reports that the phone customization service will expand to international markets this year after previously being available only in the U.S.

The new Moto X also offers a ring flash integrated into its 13-megapixel camera, which can take 4K videos.

Another new product announced by Motorola this morning was its new smartwatch, the Moto 360. The company is hoping that its entrance to the smartwatch market will be seen as more fashionable than similar products. A metal case and leather band makes the device look less like a smartwatch and more of a bulky timepiece. Like products from Samsung and LG, the new Motorola smartwatch will run on Android Wear, Google's operating system created specifically for wearable devices.

Motorola's smartwatch is markedly different from the efforts of other competitors. While LG and Samsung focus on square or rectangular smartwatches, Motorola is gambling on a design that looks similar to standard watches.